Gov. Ivey announces widening of I-65 and I-59, Hoover Interchange Project

HOOVER, Ala. (WBRC) - Governor Ivey announced Thursday during a news conference three major interstate projects in Alabama, including the widening of I-65, the Hoover Interchange Project, and the widening of I-59.

Widening Interstate 65

The largest project announced is the next phase of the governor’s plans to widen Interstate 65 from Alabaster to Calera, which runs from Exit 238 to Exit 231.

This project, broken into three phases, will include six bridges over rail tracks and two bridges over County Road 26 and is estimated to cost approximately $300 million. The project will also include an additional lane in each direction and aims to alleviate delays. The Shelby County Commission, cities of Alabaster and Calera and 58 Inc. are providing a total of $20 million toward the project, with the remaining funds coming from the state of Alabama.

Hoover Interchange Project

The second largest project is the construction of a new interchange to connect Interstate 459 to Highway 150 and South Shades Crest Road in Hoover. Mayor Frank Brocato said the idea for the interchange project or exit 9 came about 20 years ago and now they are one step closer to making it reality. Governor Ivey says the new Hoover Interchange will be located about one mile from the current Exit 10. The project is a City of Hoover-led initiative, totaling $120 million that will be split 50/50 with ALDOT. The new interchange will improve traffic by adding additional lanes, bridges and entrance and exit ramps. The plan is to use a diverging diamond interchange to improve mobility, alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the city’s crash rate. The Hoover interchange project is set to begin early 2025.

Widening Interstate 59

Governor Ivey says the third project will include a four-mile widening of Interstate 59 from I-459 to Chalkville Mountain Road. Trussville mayor Buddy Choat says this project has been on the table for about 10 years. This project will help with this congested area and accommodate future traffic. This project has an estimated cost of approximately $80 million in ALDOT funds. The four-mile project will widen to six lanes. Mayor Choat says about 64 thousand cars travel on this road and everyday it causes tremendous backups. New information about the sequence of construction for this project will be announced in a few days. ALDOT hopes to begin the project in winter of 2024.

The transportation projects total approximately half a billion dollars and each project will take about 2 years to complete.

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